High Sierra Topix

Inyo Creek Fire Update

June 21, 2021

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 97 acres
Containment: 0%
Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber

Resources Assigned: Engines: 15 Helicopters: 6 Crews: 5 Water tenders: 1

Current Situation: The Inyo National Forest’s Type 3 Incident Management Organization has been activated to take command over the Inyo Creek Fire. An inversion set in over the fire last night which helped limit growth. Spot fires were observed in Meysan Lake drainage in very steep terrain. This has prompted fire managers to send some of the resources assigned up to Whitney Portal to do prep work around structures in the event that the fire makes a run towards the Portal. Most of the fire growth has been in the Inyo Creek drainage due to rollout because of the steep terrain.

Today, crews will continue to strengthen contingency lines below the fire. Helicopters will be used to do numerous bucket drops to cool the fire’s edge. Multiple other resources are on order.

Closures: Whitney Portal Road is closed at the Horseshoe Meadow Road intersection. The Forest is working with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office on the road closure. At this time, through hikers that have planned to exit at Mt Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead or Onion Valley. Hikers that have vehicles up at Whitney Portal and are exiting the trail at the Portal can get their vehicles and drive out, however they will not be allowed to go back up. These hikers are also advised to stay up to date on the fire as this situation could change rapidly. People that have vehicles at the Portal and are getting a ride back to their vehicles will not be allowed up the road.

Mt. Whitney Trailhead, the Whitney Portal Store, Whitney Portal Campground, Recreation Residents, Lone Pine Campground, and Meysan Lake Trail remain closed.

Updates: Please check InciWeb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 410 acres
Containment: 0%
Incident Type: Full Suppression
Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber
Resources Assigned:
Engines: 25
Helicopters: 5
Fixed wing: 4
Crews: 7
Water tenders: 1
Dozers: 2

Current Situation: The Inyo Creek Fire grew significantly last night flamed by wind gusts of 35 MPH. These winds were a diurnal shift down canyon from the west, fanning the fire down canyon into Lone Pine Creek. This also caused multiple spot fires ahead of the fire triggering additional evacuations of residents at Olivas Ranch, Whitney Portal Reserve, and all residents on Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road. All of these additional residents were safely evacuated last night.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team is on order to take over the Inyo Creek Fire. The team will be briefed this afternoon and take over the fire tomorrow morning. Last night the fire also went into Unified Command with CAL FIRE San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit due to state lands being threatened and the threat to structures.

Additional aircraft for today will include an Air Attack over the fire, 2 Type 2 Air Tankers that will be doing retardant drops, and a Lead Plane that helps to guide the Air Tankers. A Mobile Retardant Base is being set up at Lone Pine Airport and will be operational by this afternoon. This will help with aircraft being able to fill and return to the fire faster.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Horseshoe Meadow Road. The Forest is working with the Inyo County Sheriff's Office on the road closure. At this time through hikers that have planned to exit the Mt Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead or Onion Valley. Hikers that have vehicles up at Whitney Portal should plan on another exit point. The car retrieval scheduled for today has been cancelled due to the increased fire activity and the risks to public and firefighter safety. An announcement will be made when it is safe to try to reschedule the car retrieval escort.

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 640 acres
Containment: 0%
Incident Type: Full Suppression
Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber
Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
Resources Assigned: Engines: 18 Helicopters: 7 Fixedwing: 4 Crews: 7 Watertenders: 4 Dozers: 2

Current Situation: The Inyo Creek Fire remained relatively calm overnight, with active flames visible in some sections of the fire. Winds were again diurnal down canyon from the west last night, however the fire held within retardant lines placed yesterday by air tanker resources. Winds will be a concern today as they are forecast to be from the South Southeast with gusts up to 30MPH. Evacuations orders for residents at Olivas Ranch, Whitney Portal Reserve, and all residents on Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road remain in effect today as well as all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground.

California Incident Management Team 13 Mike Wakoski, Incident Commander, was briefed yesterday and took command of the Inyo Creek Fire this morning. The fire remains in Unified Command with CAL FIRE due to state lands being threatened and the threat to structures.

Aircraft for today will include an Air Attack over the fire, 2 Type 2 Air Tankers that will be doing retardant drops, and a Lead Plane that helps to guide the Air Tankers. A Mobile Retardant Base is set up at Lone Pine Airport. This will help with aircraft being able to fill and return to the fire faster. 7 helicopters are also assigned to the fire and will be used to drop water on the fire to help slow its progress.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Horseshoe Meadow Road. The Forest is working with the Inyo County Sheriff on the road closure. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead or Onion Valley. Wilderness Rangers are camped at Trail Camp to try to get the word out to those that are still in the backcountry. It is still unsafe to attempt retrieving vehicles from Whitney Portal, an announcement will be made when it is safe to try to reschedule an escort.

Fire crews began the process of structure defense in the Forest Service Recreational Residences along the east edge of Whitney Portal by installing fire-wrap…

Structure defense is a multiprong approach of removing combustible fuels from around the structures, such as removing firewood piles and brush or climbing nearby trees, making the structure more resistant to ignition, and in some cases installing water pumps, hoses, and sprinkler systems. Creating defensible space around your house or cabin makes this process much easier for firefighters.

One of the steps firefighters on the Inyo Creek Fire are doing for structural defense is completely wrapping the roofs and exterior walls of the structures in an aluminumized fire-wrap. Similar to a large aluminum tarp, fire-wrap is designed to reflect up to 90+% of the radiant and convective heat from an approaching fire, this wrap allows firefighters to protect structures by making them “stand alone”, or not needing firefighters to be at the structure when the fire is approaching.

This is often used in areas where fire fighters have limited vehicle access, such as historic cabins in remote areas, or in areas where fire engines will have difficulty maneuvering on steep, narrow roads.

Incident Report Date: 06/19/2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 586 acres
Containment: 20%
Incident Type: Full Suppression
Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber
Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
Resources Assigned: Engines: 18 Helicopters: 7 Fixed-wing: 4 Crews: 12 Water tenders: 6 Dozers: 2 Total Personnel: 450

Current Situation: Lateral movement of the Inyo Creek Fire continues to be held, with combined air and ground attack establishing 20% containment since yesterday morning. Firefighters continue to build containment lines in very steep and rugged terrain. Today’s weather forecast calls for easterly upslope winds, with afternoon thunderstorms predicted to remain north of the fire. All fuels continue to be very dry and the potential for spotting outside the lines is possible with expected winds.

Evacuations orders for residents at Olivas Ranch, Whitney Portal Reserve, and all residents on Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road remain in effect, as well as all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground.

This morning at 7 a.m. CAL FIRE is no longer in Unified Command as threats to BLM lands that are protected by CAL FIRE have been mitigated. CAL FIRE continues to assist with the suppression of the fire.

Tonight at 6 p.m. at Spainhower Park, located at 430 N. Main Street, Lone Pine, the community is invited to join Inyo County Supervisor Matt Kingsley and personnel from the Inyo National Forest and California Incident Management Team 13 as they provide an update on the Inyo Creek Fire.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Horseshoe Meadow Road. The Forest is working with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office on the road closure and organizing vehicle retrieval shuttles. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt. Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead or Onion Valley.

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 592 acres
Containment: 70%
Incident Type: Full Suppression
Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber
Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
Resources Assigned: Engines: 13 Helicopters: 4 Crews: 12 Water tenders: 5 Total Personnel: 442

Current Situation: Containment on the Inyo Creek Fire is now at 70 %. The highest point within the fire perimeter is 9,071 feet, with the lowest point at 5,997 feet. The total fire perimeter is 8.68 miles, extending 1.7 miles north to south and 1.4 miles east to west. At 2 p.m. today a red flag warning will go into effect through Tuesday as hot, dry air, and the potential for dry lighting along the crest of the Sierra increases. Any nearby thunderstorms may produce gusty and erratic winds impacting the fire area.

Fire suppression activities are winding down and crews are being released to go to other incidents or back to their home units. Repair and rehabilitation efforts are continuing in the Whitney Portal. Structures that have been wrapped as part of the structure defense work are now being unwrapped, a process that can take two hours or more per structure.

Evacuations for all residents of Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road, all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground are still in effect. Firefighters are continuing to work hard to get the status of the fire to a state where many of the closures can be re-opened to the public.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Olivas Ranch Road. The forest continues to coordinate with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at the closure. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt. Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead or Onion Valley. Forest Order No. 05-54-54-21-16 closing the Meysan Lake Trail and National Recreation Trail (NRT) from their respective trailheads to terminus points is now in effect.

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. No fireworks are ever allowed on the forest. Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

Incident Start Date: 06/19/2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 592 acres
Containment: 80%
Incident Type: Full Suppression
Vegetation Type: Brush and Timber
Agency: Inyo National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
Resources Assigned: Engines: 10 Helicopters: 4 Crews: 9 Water tenders: 5 Total Personnel: 330

Current Situation: Containment on the Inyo Creek Fire is now at 80 %. As fire suppression activities scale back, the area closures remain in effect due to forecasted thunderstorms moving through the area for the next several days and the continuation of the red flag warning that remains in effect through 8 p.m. this evening.

California Incident Management Team 13 Incident Commander Mike Wakoski would like to thank the community for its support of the firefighters and suppression efforts throughout the duration of this incident. The Inyo Creek Fire is transitioning back to a Type 3 Incident with Tomas Gonzales of Inyo National Forest moving into the Incident Commander role providing direction over remaining personnel assigned to the fire.

Evacuations for all residents of Whitney Portal Road North of Horseshoe Meadow Road, all the Whitney Portal and Lone Pine Campground are still in effect. The weather and conditions are being assessed daily to determine when these closed areas can safely re-open to the public.

Closures: The Whitney Portal Road is closed at Olivas Ranch Road. The forest continues to coordinate with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office at the closure. At this time all hikers that have planned to exit the Mt. Whitney Trailhead should use a different exit point such as, the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead or Onion Valley. Forest Order No. 05-54-54-21-16 closing the Meysan Lake Trail and National Recreation Trail (NRT) from their respective trailheads to terminus points is now in effect.

Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used with a valid wilderness or California Campfire Permit in dispersed areas. No fireworks are ever allowed on the forest. Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle, building, a developed recreation site, or in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

For updates and maps, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

Acres: 400
Containment: 10%
Personnel: 100+
Structures Threatened: 2
Road Closed: 10S02 (Peterson Mill)
Evacuation: Geographic 10S02 (Peterson Mill) to Nutmeg Saddle

In consultation with the National Weather Service and Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, evacuation orders and road closures that were in place due to the Inyo Creek Fire will be lifted today June 30 at 6 pm.

Lone Pine Campground will remain closed through Saturday July 3 due to forecast storms in the area and the potential for flash flood.

Lifting of closures and evacuations are subject to cancelation should weather change.

For updated fire information, please visit InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.org/incident/7564/.

As a reminder, please drive safely as you enter the area, as firefighters and fire equipment may be travelling or working on the roadway.

The Inyo Creek Fire is now 90% contained.

With the fire now at 90% containment, and no growth expected on the fire, the complexity of this incident has dropped, and a Type 2 incident management team is no longer needed. Management of the fire transitioned back to a local type 3 organization today.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/

The Inyo National Forest has requested a Burned Area Emergency Response #BAER team to assess impacts from the Inyo Creek Fire. BAER is an emergency program aimed at managing unacceptable risks to human life and safety, property, or critical natural and cultural resources from post-wildfire damaging events (significant rain events). The BAER Team is sent to fires to assess and prevent damage from rain events on burned areas, not repair damage from either the flames or the floods after they occur.

The BAER team’s role will be to assess watersheds on all lands, then inventory values at risk and determine the need for emergency measures and treatments on National Forest lands. The team will assess the watersheds for post-fire rain related impacts such as increased flooding, debris flow potential, and increased soil erosion.
The team will spend several days conducting burn severity mapping, erosion severity ratings, and inventory values at risk, as well as find ways to mitigate these downstream risks. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flows, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: mulching, seeding, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented.

Critical Values to be considered during Burned-Area Emergency Response
• Human life and safety on or in close proximity to burned National Forest System Lands (NFS).
• Buildings, water systems, utility systems, road and trail prisms, dams, wells or other significant investments on or in close proximity to the burned NFS lands.
• Water used for municipal, domestic, hydropower, or agricultural supply or waters with special state or federal designations on or in close proximity to the burned NFS lands.
• Soil productivity and hydrologic function on burned NFS lands.
• Critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered terrestrial, aquatic animal or plant species on or in close proximity to the burned NFS lands.
• Native or naturalized communities on NFS lands where invasive species or noxious weeds are absent or present in only minor amounts.
• Cultural resources on NFS lands which are listed on or potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
• In short, the purpose of the BAER program is to prevent damage, not repair damage after it occurs.

More information about the #InyoCreekFire is on InciWeb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7564/